Mockingjay (Book 3 of The Hunger Games trilogy) by Suzanne Collins

The Book: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Book 3 of The Hunger Games trilogy)
Page Count: 400 pages

Summary: District 12 is in ruins. Peeta Mellark is being held captive in the Capitol. Katniss Everdeen reluctantly takes on the roll of being the Mockingjay; the face and voice of the Rebellion. Will the Capitol or the Rebellion prevail?

Thoughts: Overall, I really enjoyed the book. However, I felt it started off slowly and then was rushed towards the end. Although the pacing in the beginning was slow, it picked up right where Catching Fire left off.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Author Website: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Catching Fire (Book 2 of The Hunger Games trilogy) by Suzanne Collins

The Book: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (Book 2 of The Hunger Games trilogy)
Page Count: 391 pages

Summary: Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have returned to District 12 from their victory in the 74th Annual Hunger Games. Many of their actions in the Hunger Games were seen as an act of rebellion against the Capitol by President Snow. As Peeta and Katniss go on their Victory Tour to the other 11 districts and the Capitol, they find out that there is an uprising in the works. The 75th Annual Hunger Games is set to be the 3rd Quarter Quell (which happen every 25 years). This Quarter Quell, previous victors (1 male, 1 female from each district) are to be sent back into the arena to once again participate in the Hunger Games.

Thoughts: While reading this book, I couldn't decide if I wanted to keep reading because it was such a good book, or stop reading it to prevent bad things from happening. (As if reading the bad stuff makes it happen when it's clearly already part of the story...) It is a great sequel to the first book and it managed to answer all of the questions I had once I completed The Hunger Games. However, this book ends much the same way the first one did, in that you want (no... NEED) to read the next book.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Author Website: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Book: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Page Count: 384 pages

Summary: Panem is what remains of the post-apocalyptic United States of America that was ravaged by famine and war. Each year, each of the 12 districts sends 2 teens (1 male, 1 female) as tributes to participate in the Hunger Games at the Capitol. There they must fight to the death. Katniss Everdeen and her fellow District 12 tribute, Peeta Mellark, must put on a show to ensure that District 12 wins the games, but some of their actions are seen as rebellious.

Thoughts: At first, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read a book where teens kill each other for entertainment. It's so much more than that, though. While yes, this book is full of action and suspense, it shows that it's important to fight what you think is right, especially against an oppressive government. This book also ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. That's fine. It's the first book in a trilogy. I am looking forward to picking up the other two books as soon as possible.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author Website: http://www.suzannecollinsbooks.com/

Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku

The Book: Physics of the Future by Michio Kaku
Page Count: 480 pages

Summary: A comprehensive look on how technology will evolve over the course of the 21st century.

Thoughts: While the technology discussed is fascinating, I feel that this book is an updated version of his previous book Visions mixed with some of the key points from his book Physics of the Impossible. I certainly didn't mind reading the book, but it really did feel like a rehash of the other two. However, if you haven't read them, then I highly suggest you read Physics of the Future.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Author Website: http://mkaku.org/

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Book: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Page Count: 317 pages

Summary: Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit (about half the size of an average human who lives in a well-furnished, cozy hole in the ground), is recruited by a band of dwarves to retrieve treasure that is guarded by the great dragon, Smaug.

Thoughts: I had read The Lord of the Rings in high school, as well as watched the movies. In anticipation of the upcoming Hobbit films, I decided it would be in my best interest to read The Hobbit. I can't believe I didn't read this earlier. It's such a great example of literary genius. I loved this book and I recommend it to everyone.

Rating: 4 out of 5

A Brief History of the Universe by J.P. McEvoy

The Book: A Brief History of the Universe by J.P. McEvoy
Page Count: 420 pages

Summary: A brief, yet detailed, overview of mankind's knowledge of the universe spanning 4000 years. McEvoy discusses great discoveries (and some blunders) of the greatest minds in science from Aristotle to Einstein, Newton to Smoot.

Thoughts: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'm just going to admit that I am one of those people that can't get enough science. I have an entire bookcase full of just science books. What I enjoyed most about this book was it's in-depth nature without dragging on or being too detailed. Many of the major concepts in this book are things I already knew, but I still managed to learn a lot about how the discoveries were made and who made them.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Book: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Summary: 16-year-old Hazel Lancaster has thyroid cancer that spread to her lungs, and now required the use of an oxygen tank. One evening at cancer support group, she meets Augustus Waters who lost a leg to osteosarcoma. The Fault in Our Stars explores love, life, and loss. It is filled with both humorous and heart-breaking moments.

Thoughts: I don't even know where to begin with this book. It is beautifully written. I spent quite a lot of time flip-flopping between laughing and crying. Sometimes the best books are the ones in which you become so emotionally invested in that you have to 1) read it alone and 2) share it with everyone you meet once you are finished. This is one of those books.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Author Website: johngreenbooks.com

Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

The Book: Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan

Summary: One night in Chicago, two teens with the same name that lead very different lives meet by chance. Both of their lives become forever changed.

Thoughts: I found the collaboration style interesting. John Green wrote all odd-numbered chapters from the viewpoint of Will Grayson, and David Levithan wrote all even-numbered chapters from the viewpoint of will grayson. It's really an intriguing way to construct a book. It's also nice that you can get 2 different viewpoints of what's going on when the paths of Will and will cross. A great thing to note about this book, is the way it touches on the subjects of depression and homosexuality.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Publisher: Speak
Publication Year: 2010
ISBN: 978-0-14-241847-5
Author Website: http://www.davidlevithan.com/ and johngreenbooks.com

Paper Towns by John Green

The Book: Paper Towns by John Green

Summary: Seventeen-year-old Quentin Jacobsen grew up next door to his ideal girl, Margo Roth Spiegelman. One night, just a few short weeks before high school graduation, Margo shows up at Quentin's window, ninja-style. She takes him on a grand late-night adventure, and then mysteriously vanishes. Quentin, with the help of his friends Ben and Radar, attempt to unravel the mystery that is Margo Roth Spiegelman. All the while figuring out what it means to really know someone.

Thoughts: I had discovered John Green through his YouTube channel that he shares with his brother. From there, I read his first novel Looking for Alaska. I had begun a quest to read all of his novels. I found his writing style to be much more like natural speech, which I believe makes it very easy to read. It's much easier, with his novels, to focus on the story instead of the words. And although he writes Young Adult novels, I do not believe there is actually some sort of upper age limit to his writing. I think just about anyone can take something away from his novels that alters one's views of the world. Paper Towns left me wondering if I really know the people I associate myself with. "What a treacherous thing to believe that a person is more than a person." This book has given me a greater understanding of what it really means to know someone. And as a writer, I believe it has given me a way of creating stronger, more realistic characters for my stories. I was not at all disappointed with this book, and believe that I will read it again in the future.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Publisher: Speak
Publication Year: 2009
ISBN: 978-0-14-241493-4
Author Website: http://johngreenbooks.com

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

The Book: Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan is the first installment in a series of 5 novels that follows a young half-blood (half human, half Greek god) named Percy Jackson.

Summary: In Book 1 of this fantasy series, we follow young Percy on a journey of self-discovery. As the school year at Yancy Academy comes to a end, Percy is on the verge of being kicked out of yet another boarding school. He soon finds that the Greek gods and mythological creatures that he had been learning about in school are very real. Percy arrives at Camp Half-Blood, a place where he will be safe and protected from the wrath of the gods and mythological creatures, and finds out that he is suspected of stealing Zeus' most powerful weapon, the lightning bolt. He now has just 10 days to find and return Zeus' bolt and calm the fury of the gods.

Thoughts: I wanted to read this book because I heard great things about it. Plus, Greek mythology has always been a small interest of mine. There is a lot of action and adventure packed into the span of just 10 days. I disliked the pacing, but I often read books that cover a much larger time span. Other than the pacing issue, I found it to be a rather enjoyable book. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Publisher: Miramax Books
Publication Year: 2005
ISBN: 0-7868-3865-5
Author Website: http://www.rickriordan.com/home.aspx